FORMER Swansea City boss John Hollins last night spoke of his sadness after learning Swans defender Jason Smith has been forced to retire from the game.

FORMER Swansea City boss John Hollins last night spoke of his sadness after learning Swans defender Jason Smith has been forced to retire from the game.

Despite undergoing three operations in the last 18 months, the centre-back has been forced to hang up his boots at the age of 29 after failing to shake off a long-standing ankle injury and is now hoping to land a coaching role with the Swans.

Smith was a lynchpin in Hollins' Swansea side that won the Third Division title in 1999-2000.

The men from the Vetch kept a club record 22 clean sheets that season with Smith forming a formidable central defensive partnership with Mathew Bound, now at Oxford.

But the man from Bromsgrove picked up an ankle injury the following season in a LDV Vans Trophy match against Brentford when he was on the receiving end of Mark McCammon's late challenge.

Smith - who last started a match for the Swans on April 19, against Leyton Orient - has never been able to return to 100 per cent fitness.

Despite forcing his way onto the bench this season, the former Tiverton player has announced his retirement.

"What has happened to Jason is such a shame. It's so very sad. He summed up the spirit of the Swansea side that won the Division Three championship," said Hollins.

"I had a right-footer in Jason and a left-footer in Mathew (Bound). I couldn't have had a better pairing."

Added Hollins, "With all the modern technology we have in medicine - they can rebuild knees and things like that - it's a shame something couldn't be done for Jason.

"He was a big, tough centre-back. He became a very solid defender whose use of the ball was good.

"Our defensive record in 1999-2000, when we won promotion, was the best in all four divisions and that tells you something about Jason and the rest of that defence.

"Of all the players in that side, I think Jason was the one who was most battered and bruised at the end of the season.

"That's because he was never afraid of putting his head where it hurts.

"Knowing him as I do, he will push forward and if he is given the opportunity, I think he will make a good coach because he's a sensible lad."

Hollins went on, "I would agree with the view he was one of the best defenders in the lower divisions.

"When we were on our way to the title, I used to get a lot of phone calls from clubs interested in Jason. But we wanted to progress and we kept him."

It was Hollins' predecessor, Alan Cork, who brought Smith to the Vetch, paying non-league Tiverton &#xA3;10,000 for his services.

"Jason was someone who learned very quickly," continued ex-Chelsea chief Hollins. "I remember a game against Scunthorpe.

"We were winning 1-0. They equalised, then Jason tried to pull the ball down just outside the box. It was taken away from him and two passes later Scunthorpe were 2-1 in front.

"After that he decided he wasn't going to mess around in or about the box again!